On September 18, 2011 Eritreans across the globe and many friends of Eritrea, will mark 10 years to the day the flickering light of hope for justice and human rights in Eritrea grew considerably dimmer. The day has come to symbolise not just the unlawful imprisonment and disappearance of top government officials, veteran fighters of Eritrea’s long struggle for liberation, and journalists from Eritrea’s fledgling independent media, but also marks the start of a decade of injustice that earned Eritrea a reputation as a giant prison for its citizens. Elders who sought reconciliation, religious leaders from virtually every religious group in the country, young people who chose to free themselves from the shackles of perpetual national service, business men and women, academics and intellectuals, parents whose adult children have fled the country, children who were found praying alongside their parents have all fallen victims of the wrath that was unleashed on Eritreans on September 18, 2001. On Eritrea’s black September, Eritrea’s best hope for reform in the country went on to join many others who became victims of the arbitrary detention they were trying to put a stop to along with the many other ills of ‘independent’ Eritrea.
Many of those who were arrested on the day and since have been subjected to inhuman treatment, several are said to have died, many remain unaccounted for and none have been brought before a court of law or charged with any offence.
Every Eritrean, except the handful that benefit directly from the lawlessness in the country, recognises September 18, 2001 as a really dark day in Eritrea’s history. Many in the international community have also condemned the atrocities of that day calling for the immediate and unconditional rectification of the situation. However over the last 10 years, the government of Eritrea has simply turned a deaf ear to calls from Eritreans and the international community alike. This is mainly due to the fact that the calls for justice in Eritrea have not been resolute enough.
Ten years is a long time to silently put up with the ever worsening human rights abuse in Eritrea. Ten years is also too long to keep excusing the actions that are inexcusable under the law. We therefore call on all Eritreans and friends of Eritrea to use the opportunity of the 10th anniversary of September 18th 2001 to renew the commitment to work relentlessly for the realisation of the dream that many Eritreans sacrificed their life for- A free and just Eritrea for all Eritreans.
Eritrean human rights organisations in the UK would like to invite you, to join us on a day of commemoration to mark the 10th anniversary of September 18, 2001 and as we renew our vow to call for justice in Eritrea, standing firmly in solidarity with the victims of human rights abuse in the country.
We would like you to join us as we declare the day ‘black ribbon day’, making black ribbon a symbol of our renewed commitment to justice and solidarity with victims of human rights abuse in Eritrea.
Together, we will send an unequivocal message of condemnation to the government of Eritrea, a message of solidarity to all victims of arbitrary detention, since the advent of Eritrea’s liberation as well as express our determination to follow in the footsteps of those who have become symbols of the bitter struggle for a better Eritrea.
Solidarity and Commemoration- For the first Eritrean Black Ribbon Day, on September 18, 2011 we call on all Eritrean civic and democratic rights organisations, political organisations as well as community mosques and churches to remember and stand in solidarity with victims of abuse in Eritrea.
Renewed commitment - Coinciding with these above calls for commemoration and solidarity there will be an event in London to host friends and families of Eritrea’s many prisoners as we remember those that paid a hefty price to express the aspirations of every Eritrean and renew our pledge to call for justice until every last one of Eritrea’s prisoners of conscience is freed.
September 2011
Suwera Centre for Human Rights (SCHR)
Eritreans for Human and Democratic Rights- UK (EHDR-UK)
Release Eritrea
Citizens for Democratic Rights in Eritrea (CDRiE)
Asena Foundation
